Industry Consultant Shares Current Outlook for Beauty School Grads

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Industry Consultant Shares Current Outlook for Beauty School Grads

Published: May 01, 2009
by Rosanne Ullman

Now and then I like to tap industry observers for their big-picture view of beauty schools and employment opportunities. Recently I was speaking with Cyrus Busara, president of Professional Consultants and Resources (www.procons

ultants.us), Plano, Texas, a leading salon industry data and strategic consulting company. Cyrus informed me he expects cosmetology school enrollment to rise this year.

“During years of high unemployment, many more students flock to beauty schools to pursue either a full-time vocation in cosmetology or extra part-time earnings, since many of them can qualify pretty quickly to get a state cosmetology license,” he said. That makes sense; by the time you’re licensed and ready to go, the recession may be wrapping up.

When I asked Cyrus what graduates will face in the salon job market, he cited a 2008 industry study indicating that chains like Great Clips and Sports Clips have staffing needs because they’re growing by leaps and bounds, while independent salons are experiencing more challenges to stay competitive. “Rentals are a burgeoning part of the salon industry,” he added, “and many of today’s beauty school students would love to be entrepreneurs and rent their own space in booth rental salons.” Further, when schools are associated with a product line—Paul Mitchell, Aveda and Toni&Guy are examples—the graduates often get preference in joining salons associated with the same company. “Usually a Paul Mitchell School student would love to go to work at a Paul Mitchell Salon,” Cyrus noted. “Even independent schools are usually approached by local salons.”

Photo is courtesy of Patrick McGivor Color Studio.